Recap: Jazz 103, Suns 88

Jazz 103, Suns 88: Al Jefferson led the way with 25 points and nine rebounds as host Utah downed Phoenix to move back to .500 and stay within a game of the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference.

Gordon Hayward also scored 25 points and Derrick Favors grabbed 13 boards for the Jazz, who are one game behind the Los Angeles Lakers and pulled a half-game ahead of the Dallas Mavericks in a tight race for the eighth and final playoff spot.

Utah led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter before settling for a 53-44 lead at the half. The Jazz had it back out to 13 early in the third before Phoenix closed the period with a quick burst to cut it to 75-71 heading into the fourth.

But Utah quickly put things away in the final period, opening with a 17-2 spurt. Hayward scored six straight points later in the quarter to push it to 101-84 and the Jazz coasted to the finish.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Phoenix starting PG Goran Dragic, who put up 31 points, 12 rebounds and nine assists in the Suns' last game on Sunday, was given the night off for rest. Phoenix will play the second night of a back-to-back Thursday at home against Sacramento. ... Utah improved to 26-9 at home. The Jazz will play six of their final 10 games in Salt Lake City. ... Suns C Jermaine O'Neal (calf) returned from a two-game absence but struggled to three points on 1-of-7 shooting in 16 minutes off the bench.